Road America Race Track Reloaded

Springtime in Wisconsin can mean many different things for hot rodders. Some anxiously await opening day at their local quarter mile or that first big car show, while others are just happy to see the rain wash all the salt off the roads. For a select group or enthusiasts, the third weekend in April signals the opening event at Road America, the fabled 4-mile road course near Elkhart Lake.

Now in its fifth year, the Speed Seekers/Midwest F-Body Association track rental has become so popular that a second date was added in the fall of 2003 to help accommodate the mass of adrenaline junkies looking to get their fix on America's longest road course. Much of this success can be attributed to the simple, attractive format and thorough planning by event organizers John Gay, Dan Kuehn, Dave Dill and their spouses.

They saw increasing numbers of mainstream hot rodders getting turned onto the idea of flexing their car's muscle on a road course, but knew that gaining access to tracks could be problematic. The operating costs and manpower needed to open a road course are far greater than their straight line counterparts, so major venues like Road America can't just open their gates for "test 'n tune" and hope enough cars will show up to cover the expenses. That leaves the onus on clubs and sanctioning bodies to gather up enough interested parties to convince the track they can foot the bill.

Road America is one of the premier road courses in the world, so it should come as no surprise that wheel-to-wheel racing events and a throng of well-established sports car clubs have had the prime dates locked up for many years. As a result, when the Speed Seekers and their F-body cohorts approached Road America, the track accommodated them by beginning their normal operating season a week earlier. April weather can be volatile in Wisconsin, but as long as it's not raining (or snowing), the cool temperatures are generally much easier on cars than what one might find at a Porsche club event in mid-July.

Although Camaro and Firebird owners are behind this endeavor, they have opened the event to all makes, models and years, and do so without requiring membership in their club. Most of the 120 slots are filled with cars produced by the Big Three, but a few imports make their way in as well. The atmosphere is friendly and the format on the track is non-competitive with designated passing areas clearly marked on straightaways, greatly reducing the possibility of car-to-car contact. The cars are divided into four groups, based on a combination of driver experience and car preparation, ensuring that a first-timer in a four-banger Cavalier won't have Z06s buzzing by them at 150 mph.

The price of $350 may seem expensive compared to a night at the dragstrip, but it's actually a bargain for two days on a road course, especially at a facility like Road America. The Speed Seekers also offer a seminar the night before the event and make instructors available throughout the weekend to help drivers find the quickest way around the course, all at no additional cost.

If you've ever considered running your car in events like open road races, prior experience in high-performance driving situations isn't just a good idea, it's often a mandatory requirement. The Speed Seekers track rental is a great way to get your feet wet without soaking your bank account. The next event is just around the corner, so check out www.speedseekers.com for all the details.